Macra consults on Universal Service Fund rules
Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) has started consulting stakeholders in the communications sector on the draft Universal Service Fund (USF) rules to improve the country’s communication sector.
Through USF, Macra as a regulatory authority, will ensure provision of affordable, reliable and accessible information and communicaiton technology (ICT) services even in hard-to-reach areas.
Speaking in Blantyre yesterday when he opened a three-day stakeholders consultative workshop, Macra director of broadcasting Fegus Lipenga said to achieve this, there is need for a sound and clear framework of policies and strategies governing the implementation and operation of USFs.
He said: “This workshop is aimed at consulting and engaging stakeholders for feedback in implementing the Universal Service Fund to achieving maximum transparency.
“This is the only way the USF can work as powerful drive for social economic development of the country.”
In line with the Communications Act, Lipenga said they will put in place a USFcommittee comprising representatives of licencees in the communications sector, representatives from consumer association groups and Macra director general.
Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL) chief commercial officer Gladson Kuyeri said the fund is important to the operators, adding that it is expensive to roll out network in areas where there are few users.
He said with the fund in place, the telecommunication industry will be able to offer services in areas where it is not profitable for one operator to roll out its infrastructure and get a return on investment. n
